1. family and parenting
2. children

MECHANICSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
300 E. SIMPSON STREET
MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055
The Cornerstone
VOL. VI, ISSUE IV
April 2015
MARCH 29 - PALM SUNDAY – 8:15 and 11 AM
APRIL 2, 7:30 PM – MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE
APRIL 3, 7:30 PM – GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE (Service of Shadows)
APRIL 5 – EASTER - 8, 9:30 and 11 AM
Invite a friend to join you in worship.
MPC Spring
Yard Clean-up
(AKA Mulch
Madness)
Sunday,
April 19
Join the fun and experience the fresh air and fellowship
at our Mulch Madness event. Helpers are needed at the
church after the 11 o'clock service to rake leaves, edge
garden beds, prune trees, clip bushes, and spread
fertilizer and mulch. We will start at 12:30 and be
finished by about 3 PM. Please bring along yard tools
such as rakes, pitchforks, shovels, hoes, wheelbarrows,
pruning saws, hedge clippers, brooms, blowers, and work
gloves. If you have questions, please contact Kevin Breen
(737-5739). Remember, many hands make light work, so
please come out on Sunday, April 19 and join us for as
long as you can. Rain Date Note: if the weather is bad,
we have Sunday, April 26 set as the rain date.
Inside this issue:
Youth Auction & Gala
3
VBS, Kids Klub
4
Youth Group Schedule
5
Beginners’ Handbell Choir
5
Mother-Daughter Dinner
6
Rummage Sale
7
Session Notes
6
Hymnal Order Form
10
Page 2
THE CORNERSTONE
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers. – Acts 2:42
Beloved Children of God,
A recent poll suggested that 72% of youth spirituality comes from their parents.
72%.
I guess that makes sense if you divide the week up into segments; 7 days a week divided into morning,
afternoon and night. Sunday school is one hour. Church is another hour. Kids Klub is an hour and a half… once
a month for half of the year. Youth group is more than that, but it’s still not as much time as youth spend at
school or with their families.
72% of youth spirituality comes from their parents.
The weather this past winter got into an interesting pattern of blasting through on the weekend. For many
students that meant two hour delays and cancellations on Mondays. And for us on Sunday it meant we didn’t
see many of you for months. We missed you.
And I worry about folks falling out of the habit of going to church.
It’s easy to do. Life is busy and Sunday morning can be the one morning during the week when an alarm
doesn’t need to be set, coffee can stay out of a travel mug and pajamas can stay on. And if it’s cold or snowy
or icy out – all the more reason to skip it.
But… 72% of youth spirituality comes from their parents.
My faith is important to me, and I know yours is too. I want my son to understand why faith matters. Why is a
community of faith important? Why does my understanding of the world we live in include a God who creates,
loves and sustains? And the thing is, just because I’m a pastor doesn’t mean that those conversations are any
easier.
I am thankful for the Bible studies that I have been a part of and the scriptures I learn about when preparing
sermons because they help me answer his questions when he asks, and they help me have a broader
understanding myself so that I can share it with him. He knows my faith is important to me, and not just because
leading the church is my job.
72% of youth spirituality comes from their parents.
In order to pass on our faith to our children and youth, we need to be able to talk about it. So come to church,
come to Sunday school, read a chapter of Scripture a day, pray at the dinner table – talk about your faith.
Your children and youth want to know about Jesus and faith from you.
Peace be with you,
Page 3
THE CORNERSTONE
You and Your Family and Friends are invited to…
The Connections Auction and Gala
Friday, April 24th 7:00pm – 9:30pm
at the PA State Museum
Adults $25
Children (4-10 years old) $10
3 and under Free
Sponsor $100 (includes 2 tickets and a chance to win a Hot Air Balloon Ride!)
This year’s auction is even bigger and better than our last one. Your ticket includes an opportunity to explore the
museum’s various exhibits including a planetarium show. Hors d'oeuvre and desserts provided by Grand Cru
Hospitality.
Some items we currently have for auction include:
1. Guitar signed by Paul McCartney, minimum bid: $4,000
2. Guitar signed by Taylor Swift, minimum bid: $2,500
3. Jimmy Buffett Record Album, minimum bid: $900
4. Star Wars Masterpiece 16X20 Movie Poster, minimum bid: $2,500
5. Dale Earnhardt Sr. 11X14 Photo, minimum bid: $1,000
6. Charles Schulz Snoopy Sketch , minimum bid: $1,250
7. Muhammad Ali Boxing Glove, minimum bid: $1,600
8. Johnny Depp 8X10 Photo, minimum bid: $300
9. Boxing legends Limited Edition Boxing Glove, minimum bid: $4,000
10. Celebrity Cruises, minimum bid: $8000
Veranda Stateroom 7-Night Alaska or Bermuda Cruise, or 4-Night to 7-Night
Caribbean Cruise for 2 including Priority Tender/Disembarkation
11. Lake Tahoe Ski Getaway, minimum bid: $5700 Lift Tickets, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort 3-Night Stay with
Airfare for 2
12. New Orleans Jazz & Dining -, minimum bid: $5900 Preservation Hall of Jazz VIP Admission, Commander's Palace Jazz
Brunch or Dinner with Wine Pairing, Hyatt French Quarter 3-Night Stay with Airfare for 2
I need your help!
Please donate items to the auction
(For ideas check out our display in the Gathering Area or call Pastor Mark)
Buy your tickets and invite your friends!
Page 4
THE CORNERSTONE
Vacation Bible
School
August 3-7,
2015
Kids Klub—April 1, 2015
Our last Kids Klub of the 2014-15 year will be
Wednesday, April 1, from 5:30 until 7 PM in Lower
Fellowship Hall. We will complete our stories of Paul
with the story of a shipwreck! We will also help
make this year’s Community Garden sign. Students
will be able to bring home their “Paul” books, on
which they have been working all year.
Students should bring $2 if they would like to have
pizza for supper.
This year’s Vacation Bible School will be held the
first week of August, August 3-7, from 9 until 11:30
AM each day. We will be doing some mountain
climbing, with the theme Everest!
We will have training for teachers and staff on
Sunday, July 12, immediately following morning
worship. On Wednesday evening, July 29, we will
gather to decorate.
Please save the dates and plan on being with us for
a week of climbing EVEREST! A volunteer sheet is
included with this edition of The Cornerstone.
Nursery Help
Needed!
Once again, our list of
nursery volunteers has
dwindled, and we are in
need of reinforcements!
You may specify whether you would like to serve at
8:15, at 9:35, or at 11:00, or whether you could
volunteer at any time. We have two volunteers
scheduled in each nursery at each time. What better
way to help fulfil the vows we take when a new
baby is baptized in our church, to help raise children
in our faith?
If you “used to” volunteer in our nursery but have
taken a break, please consider volunteering again.
If you regularly use the services of the nursery but
have not volunteered, please consider serving in this
way. We have always been able to provide both
an infant and a toddler nursery at the 11 AM
worship service, but we may not be able to continue
with both if we do not have more volunteers
available.
Check out the 2015 summer season by going to
www.Krislund.org. There are many different kinds
of camps for many different ages! Registration can
also be done on-line.
Although the Christian Education Committee no
longer is able to offer a subsidy to all campers,
there is still money available through the Chris
Rossman Fund. To apply for a camp scholarship,
contact either Don Hopper or Kathy Wells.
Krislund itself also has a new way to save money
this year. Campers who bring with them a first-time
camper, someone who has never been to Krislund
before, can save 50% on the cost of their
registration. If you would like to send your child to
camp for the first time, ask to see if someone from
MPC would be willing to take them as their firsttimer. Then the 50% savings can be shared
between families!
VOLUME VI, ISSUE IV
Page 5
Last Call for the
Beginning Bell
Workshop!
Our beginning bell
workshop is set to begin
at 5: 30
PM
on
Wednesday, April 8, in
the Conference Room,
and will conclude on
Wednesday, May 13.
If you would like to give those beautiful bells a try in
a non-threatening and friendly atmosphere, please
get in touch with me by calling 691-9680 or
emailing at ehouse54@comcast.net ASAP. I have
lots of experience in teaching music to beginners,
and I promise – I do not bite!
This workshop is open to anyone from middle school
through adults, male or female.
The only
requirements are that you are able to read music
and are curious about ringing.
Ringing hand bells is a truly
experience! Why don’t you give it a try?
MIDI ENSEMBLE UNIT
We extend sincere appreciation to the families of
David W. Petko, Stanley A. Walton and James L.
Zerbe for the gift of the MIDI Ensemble Unit. The
unit has expanded the voices of our organ three
times and has added 258 stops, or voices. On
many occasions during worship, these voices will be
heard with the full ensemble of the organ, adding
depth and color. With the MIDI box, we now have
expanded the swell choir, great, and pedal. We
even have two stops (32’ Contra Violone and a
32’ Contra Posaune). There are numerous trumpets,
chimes, and bells which were not on the original
organ. On behalf of the Worship and Music
Committee and congregation, we express our
thanks for the gifts given by family and friends in
memory of David, Stanley and Jim which have
provided this wondrous gift of praise to the glory
of God.
unique
~Eileen House
Mission Trip to Huntington, WV
May 10-16, 2015
Our seventh annual mission trip to Habitat for
Humanity of Hungtington, WV, will take place on
May 10-16, 2015. We will be commissioned in
church at the 8:15 service and leave right after
Sunday School. Our weeks in Huntington are always
good experiences, with lots of work for many
different skill levels. There is still room for new
participants on this trip. If you would like to
participate, please let Kathy Wells know. Each
participant pays $50 towards the cost of the trip.
The rest of the money is raised through the sale of
Giant gift cards.
April - 4– Rock the Camp – Cost is $35
April 12 – 5 – 8 PM Youth Sunday Practice –
Dinner is provided.
April 19 – Youth Sunday – “Fall Into Grace”
April 24 – Connections Auction and Gala
He Brews will be meeting April 16th at Your Place
on the Carlisle Pike. Men of all ages are invited to
attended and are encouraged to bring friends.
Page 6
THE CORNERSTONE
MOTHER/
DAUGHTER
BANQUET
MAY 8, 6:30 PM
Upper Fellowship
Hall
Mary Kate (from the group "Seasons") will play
her harp during dinner. This is a fun evening of
great food, great music and wonderful fellowship.
We will take reservations on April 19, 26 and
May 3 after each service. See you at the dinner.
Menu:
tossed salad with dressing
herb dijon rubbed pork loin
ginger teriyaki chicken breast
coconut quinoa pilaf
fresh vegetable medley
bread pudding
chocolate cake with chocolate cherry icing
Weekly Weeders Group
to Start in May at MPC
Do you have a green thumb anxious to get
outdoors after the long winter? Are you looking for
a way to get some exercise and to get to know
your fellow MPC members? If so, here's an
opportunity you might enjoy. Every Tuesday
evening, beginning on May 5, we will meet at MPC
from 7 - 8 PM to work on maintaining the garden
beds, keeping them watered and weed-free. If you
have an interest in helping or have questions,
please contact Kevin Breen (737-5739).
$9 adults, $5 children under 10 years
Did you know that an estimated 1.3 million women are physically assaulted each
year by their intimate partner? Did you know that women between the ages of
20-24 are at the greatest risk? Did you know the 5 forms of domestic violence –
physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and economic, encompass not only our
initial thought of physical harm; but also isolating, controlling, and undermining
self-worth are key factors? Men can be victims as well.
We at MPC have been working closely with Domestic Violence Services in
Cumberland Co, and Stop the Violence in Harrisburg. Here’s what we’re doing –
publishing the local hotline number (800) 852-2102, supplying pamphlets in our
restrooms and at New Hope, raising awareness, discussing early controlling and
unhealthy behaviors with our 6-12th graders. Raising money from the
Peacemaking Offering, Alternative Gifts and restaurant events – we turn the money into Giant gift cards for
DV clients to buy gas and food to stay independent as they rebuild their lives. We give money and time to
Stop the Violence. We are also putting a panel discussion together for the fall to have a larger discussion
with former victims, leaders in the DV fight and a coroner or officer.
All of us can help - friends and families looking out for each other, girls nurtured with good self-esteem and
a strong path to financial independence, men raising the bar on each other for what is acceptable, boys
nurtured with love and compassion in their hearts… Keep your eyes open for how you can help!
~From the Peacemaking & Justice Committee
VOLUME VI, ISSUE IV
Page 7
Snyder
Scholarship
High school seniors and
returning
college
students, remember to
fill
out
your
applications for a
Snyder
Scholarship!
Applications can be downloaded from the church web site.
A few copies are available in the box outside the Christian
Education office.
2015 SPRING RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE
APRIL 22 and 23
WE REALLY DO NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS
ALL RUMMAGE SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE CHURCH
Sunday, APRIL 19 - 12:30 - 8 PM
Monday, APRIL 20 – 9 AM – 8 PM
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS: Small household appliances THAT WORK, dishes, books, toys, games, sports equipment,
tools, bedding and linens, curtains, shoes and clothing, and miscellaneous items of almost every variety. We
can also use lots of paper grocery bags.
NON-ACCEPTABLE ITEMS: Children's Car Seats, partially used cosmetics etc., torn or soiled clothing and
shoes, toys & games with missing parts/pieces, any appliance that doesn't work. No large, heavy pieces of
furniture as they must be carried down the stairs. If it looks bad, smells bad or is in need of repair do not
donate it, throw it away!
We are not accepting old televisions, computers, suitcases or adult bicycles. If you have these items in good
condition, please consider donating them directly to MISSION CENTRAL, located at 5 Pleasant View Dr.,
Mechanicsburg (766-1533).
If you need someone to transport items to the church, please call Paula Logan (697-3798) who will arrange
for a convenient pick-up time on Sunday, April 19 or Monday, April 20.
BAKE SALE ITEMS: Should be brought to the church by 9 AM Wednesday, April 22 or may be left in the
kitchen, labeled for "Bake Sale" on Tuesday, April 21.
COLLECTION:
***WE NEED MANY VOLUNTEERS--MEN AND WOMEN!!***
Sunday, April 19 - Noon - 8 PM
Monday, April 20 - 9 AM – 8 PM
SET UP:
Tuesday, APRIL 21 - 9 AM - until completed
SALE DAYS:
Wednesday, APRIL 22 - 9 AM - 8 PM and Thursday, APRIL 23 - 9 AM - 12 PM
CLEAN-UP:
Thursday, APRIL 23 - 12 – 2 PM
Please sign up to help on the clipboard in the Gathering Area or call Paula Logan.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
VOLUME VI, ISSUE IV
Page 8
Mix ‘n Mingles/Pep Set - We will have lunch on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:30
AM at Snappers on Walnut Street, Mechanicsburg. Please sign-up on the sheet in
the Gathering Area so we can give the restaurant an accurate count.
Here’s the tentative schedule for the rest of the year:
Date
Time
May 20
June 14
11:15 am
1:30 pm
July
10 am
Aug 15
10:30
Sept 16
or 23
Oct
Nov 7
11:30
Dec 9
Dec 11
or 18
TBA
TBA
TBA
10:30
Activity
Contact
Picnic lunch –SAGE – Middletown
Harrisburg Senators baseball game. Purchase a
voucher for the game from the Welcome Committee.
Tour of New Hope Ministries. Lunch at Café Magnolia
on Old Gettysburg Road near Wesley Drive. Carpool
from the church at 9:45 am.
Picnic lunch at Centre Church. Carpool from the church
at 10:30
Lunch at Boiling Springs Tavern.
TBA
Turkey dinner at Centre Church. Cost around $12.
Carpool from the church at 10:30
Lunch at Hoss’s including a Christmas Sing-a-long
Dessert at Zangs and Susquehanna Chorale. Sign up
sheet will go out in September
More than Conquerors
Surely He has borne our infirmities and carried our
diseases; yet we accounted Him stricken, struck down
by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our
transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon Him
was the punishment that made us whole, and by His
bruises we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5
Thanks be to God! There is no greater Love than
this! No matter what we face in life, this Love gives
us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Awesome!
Myrtle
Welcome
Committee
Kathie Carmines
Signup ?
yes
no
yes
Kathie Carmines
yes
Rich Trout
yes
Kathie Carmines
yes
Mike and Karen
Zang
yes
yes
Please join us on April 28
at 7 PM, when we discuss
Orphan Train by Christina
Baker Kline. This excellent
historical novel has been
chosen as the One Book,
One Community selection
in over two dozen cities
and is one of the top book
club selections nationally.
Orphan Train intertwines the fascinating parallel
stories of Vivian, an elderly woman who had been
sent as a child on one of these trains that ran
between 1854 and 1929 from the East Coast to
the Midwest, and Molly, a teenager who has been
a foster child and is now helping Vivian clean out
her attic as a community-service project. This novel
has received wonderful reviews for its powerful
story-telling based on the author’s thorough
research. If you can’t join us this month, we will be
reading The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani
in May.
Page 9
THE CORNERSTONE
We welcomed Rennick Albert Ross Lysinger into the covenant family of God through
infant baptism on March 8, 2015. Rennick is the son of Deborah (Zamboni) and Forrest
Lysinger; and grandson of Albert and Alice Zamboni.
We welcomed Kensley Marie Bell into the covenant family of God through infant
baptism on March 22, 2015. Kensley is the daughter of Kristina Bell, sister of Riley,
granddaughter of Bob and Barbara Bell, great-granddaughter of Dave and Mary
Bressler, and Joshua and David and families her uncles and aunts.
Congratulations to Michael and Michelle Kostelac on the birth of their daughter, Emily Faith Kostelac, on
March 24, 2015. Emily’s grandparents are Mike and Karen Kostelac.
We extend our Christian love and sympathy to the following:
Family and friends of Richard Malone. Richard joined MPC January 27, 2013 and entered the Church
Triumphant on February 27, 2015. He is survived by nieces Patty Gruen and Emma Persigehl;
Millie Skelly and D. Wayne Skelly on the death of husband and father, James. Jim and Millie joined
MPC in 1982 and Jim entered the Church Triumphant on March 1, 2015;
Brad Singiser, Ran and Andrea Singiser, and family on the death of wife/daughter-in-law, Aisha, who
passed on March 3, 2015, and infant daughter/granddaughter Layla Marium who passed on March 22,
2015;
Lois, Jennifer and Jonathan Gayman on the death of husband and father, Lee E. Gayman on March 14,
2015. Lee and Lois were former MPC members and he belonged to Still Simple Gifts. (Lois’ address: 400
W. Keller St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055);
Bill Hosler and family on the death of their wife, mother and grandmother, Patricia. The Hoslers joined
MPC in 1983 and Pat entered the Church Triumphant on March 25, 2015. Blessed are those who see the Lord
face to face.
Session Notes – March 2015


We opened with a worship service in the Parlor, focusing on God calling
the Elders to lead (Numbers 11:10-17) and as an offering we gave our
gifts of discernment from the past month.
We focused on four areas of the church: music, youth/young adults, CE/
Sunday School and church beautification (making the church look more
welcoming). The Session divided into action teams and talked about ‘next
steps’ in each of these areas.

The Technology Committee is slowly rolling out signing up for activities
online. You can find it here: https://timetosignup.com/mechpresby/

Online giving can be found here: http://mechpresby.org/ (click the
‘online giving’ button on the right hand side)

We closed our worshipful work with a devotion led by Wayne Yost, chair
of the Spiritual Life Committee.

We gave thanks for one another, committed to pray for one another and
the church, lifted up our joys and concerns and concluded our worshipful
work with the singing of the Gloria Patri.
896-0131
If you would like to contact
a pastor due to an
emergency such as a
hospitalization or death in
the church family please
call this number at any time.
It will connect you to the
church office and at least
one of the pastors.
Glory to God
Hymnal Order
I would like to place the following order for the new Glory to God Hymnal. The hymnals
are $25 a copy. Bookplates in memory of/in honor of a loved one will be placed inside
the front cover.
_____ In honor of /or _____ In memory of________________________________________________
Name(s) as it should appear in the Hymnal
By ________________________________________________________________________________
Name(s) as it should appear in the Hymnal
_____ In honor of /or _____ In memory of________________________________________________
Name(s) as it should appear in the Hymnal
By ________________________________________________________________________________
Name(s) as it should appear in the Hymnal
_____ In honor of /or _____ In memory of________________________________________________
Name(s) as it should appear in the Hymnal
By ________________________________________________________________________________
Name(s) as it should appear in the Hymnal
_______ Hymnals @ $25 each: $ _______________ Paid by: ___________________________
Ordered by ________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
April 2015
Vacation Bible School 2015
AUGUST 3-7, 2015
9 – 11:30 AM
Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church
Yes! I want to spend a week climbing Everest, the 2015 Vacation
Bible School!
I can help with preparations for VBS ____________________
I can donate supplies or staff snacks ____________________
I can help the week of VBS in the following place:
_____ Preschool Teacher
_____ Elementary Shepherd
_____ Arts and Crafts Helpers
_____ Actors and Actresses (characters)
_____ Games Leaders
_____ Teen Helper
_____ Picnic Coordinator
Name__________________________________________
Phone Number____________________________________
E-mail _________________________________________